The EU Commission has published proposals as part of the European Green Deal to make sustainable products the norm in the EU, promote circular economy models and empower consumers for the green transition.
As announced in the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Commission is proposing new rules to make almost all material goods on the EU market greener, more recyclable and more energy-efficient throughout their life cycle – from the design phase, through daily use and reuse, to end-of-life.
So it is clear: There will be a new Ecodesign Regulation to replace the current Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC.
The proposal for a regulation on the eco-design of sustainable products addresses product design, which determines up to 80% of the environmental impact of a product during its life cycle. It sets new requirements to make products more durable, reliable, reusable, upgradable, repairable, easier to maintain, refurbish and recycle, and more energy and resource-efficient.
In addition, product-specific information requirements will ensure that consumers are aware of the environmental impacts of their purchases. Consumers should thus be better informed about the environmental sustainability of products and protected from "greenwashing". All regulated products will be provided with digital product passports. This will make it easier to repair or recycle products and facilitate the tracing of substances of concern along the supply chain. Labelling may also be introduced.
The proposal sets out a framework and procedure through which the Commission, in close cooperation with all stakeholders, will progressively establish requirements for each product or product group. Along with this proposal, the Commission has also adopted an Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Working Plan 2022-2024 to cover new energy-related products and to update and increase requirements for already regulated products, as a transitional measure until the new regulation enters into force. The main focus is on consumer electronics (smartphones, tablets, solar panels) – the fastest growing waste stream.
